Grandmothers' Stories: Wise Woman Tales from Many Cultures - Hardcover

Muten, Burleigh

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1902283244 ISBN 13: 9781902283241

Publisher: Barefoot Books, 1999

Synopsis

The stories in this anthology illustrate many of the qualities of the wise woman, offering readers of all ages a new perspective on the grandmother character that is usually presented in fairy tales as either menacingly evil or dim-witted and useless. With spirited grandmothers from as far afield as Senegal and Sweden, all of these tales are rich with humor, action and suspense. A fresh and witty retelling is complemented by finely detailed and mesmerizing illustrations.

About this title

About the Author

Burleigh Muten, who is named after both of her grandmothers, is a school teacher and mother of two children who lives with her family in Amherst, Massachusetts. She has also worked with Barefoot Books on Grandfather Mountain (1-84148-786-4) and Goddesses: A World of Myth and Magic (1-84148-074-6). Sian Bailey was born and raised in Wales before moving to Brighton, where she gained her Diploma in Art and Design. She currently lives and works in Birkenhead with her husband Peter, who is also an illustrator. Olympia Dukakis is an Academy-Award winning actress who appeared in many films and over 130 on- and off-Broadway productions. Winner of the Golden Globe Award as well as two OBIE awards, she is also a director, producer, teacher, activist and author. Her social activism centres around the health and safety of women and children worldwide. Olympia lives in New York City with her husband. They have three grown children and three grandchildren.

From AudioFile

Both the familiar and the unusual grace this collection of stories honoring wise older women. The listener will nod with remembrance as one old woman's fine rice cakes bring her a red magic paddle and as another's job switch with her husb-and brings startling realizations to the latter. Ears will perk up for the arrival of a genie at the midwife's abode or the water spirits at the end of a laborer's long day. Through each tale kindness, cleverness, and wisdom shine. Olympia Dukakis's presentation creates the visual image of one reading to adoring listeners. Her voice is evenly modulated, and she introduces new story elements slowly, accelerating when there is repetition or a growing sense of urgency. Dukakis takes as much pleasure in each story as the listener will. A.R. © AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Edition details

• Publisher: Barefoot Books
• Publication date: 1999
• ISBN 10: 1902283244
• ISBN 13: 9781902283241
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 80
• Illustrator: Bailey Sian